Parents from throughout Scotland gathered in Fort William for the Annual General Meeting of Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) on 9th May, where they heard about the success of the Gaelic schools in Glasgow and Inverness and of the growing campaign in Fort William to have a dedicated Gaelic school.

Following formal proceedings, Donalda McComb, Head teacher at Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu gave a short very informative presentation titled ‘Yesterday, today and tomorrow. Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.’

This was followed by a panel session with Donnie MacDonald, Head of Education Services at Highland Council and Kenneth Murray, Chief Executive at Bòrd na Gàidhlig as well as Donalda for discussion and questions.

After the meeting Kenneth Murray said ““Bòrd na Gàidhlig was pleased to meet with CnP(N) and is supportive of the positive talks between local community representatives and The Highland Council on the provision of Gaelic schools.

“The Bòrd is keen to support the growth of GME and will do its utmost to facilitate progress and encourage developments across Scotland.”

Dawn Morgan, newly elected chair of Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta), said "It is always encouraging to hear about the fantastic progress being made at all levels of Gaelic-medium education in Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. We hope that this will be emulated by the newly opened Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis and through time in Gaelic schools throughout Scotland. The Gaelic schools in Glasgow and Inverness came about through the vision, commitment and dedication of parents. It is extremely encouraging to hear of emerging interest in stand-alone Gaelic schools within Comann nam Pàrant branches throughout Scotland, such as the growing campaign in Fort William. We wish these groups every success and offer them our full support.

"As well as supporting the demand for, and exploring opportunities to increase provision through dedicated Gaelic schools, we shall continue to seek improvements in Gaelic-medium provision in secondary schools and we also hope to raise awareness of and numbers of entrants to Gaelic-medium education mainly through a network of parental advocates.

"We would like to thank Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comunn na Gàidhlig for their support again this year. We would also like to thank everyone who is involved in Gaelic-medium education – parents, teachers and support staff – who all work very hard to make it so successful."